Kids ’N Play

Approximately 50 students from Swift Elementary School, located maybe one long foul ball north of Allan Saxe Field, were asked last winter to draw a design to be used on the 2024 schedule poster for UTA’s softball team. The winning effort came from fifth-grader Ronnie Lopez, who certainly used plenty of blue and orange along with a day-glow softball, western boots and hat, and even the Athletics Department’s “Buck ’Em” slogan.

“The kids were excited to participate because they know all about UTA,” says Roxanne McKee, Swift’s visual arts teacher.

The poster competition is only one example of UTA Athletics’ ongoing community outreach. Another took place the first day that the poster was available at a game, when more than 120 students from multiple area schools took in the team’s Kids Day. Each student received a small UTA tote bag containing lunch to help keep them energized and ready to cheer on the team during the game.

Richard Haifley, Athletics’ associate director for external services, says the volleyball team also held a teacher appreciation event last fall, while the Student Athletic Advisory Committee has been visiting area schools to emphasize the importance of education.

“We get out to elementary schools. We go to boys’ and girls’ clubs. We go to Salvation Army,” says Jon Fagg, director of Athletics. “We go to different area organizations and interact with youth as much as possible. That always will be a priority for us.”